Support for a State Law Banning Devocalization of Dogs and Cats:
Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Technicians Speak Out for Animals!

As a veterinarian, veterinary nurse or veterinary technician, I support enactment of a law in my state to prohibit the cutting, clipping or otherwise altering a dog's or cat's vocal folds by anyone using any means for any purpose except to treat a physical illness, disease or injury or correct a birth defect causing the animal medical harm that cannot be relieved by other veterinary care.

Vocal cord surgery performed with the intent of altering or removing an animal's voice, known as devocalization (also referred to as debarking, devoicing, bark reduction or bark softening), is an act of cruelty that no state should tolerate.